This project continues the critical work achieved in Phase I of the Council of Europe project Ending Violence against Women and Promoting Gender Equality in Armenia (2023-2024) on preventing and combating violence against women (VAW) and domestic violence (DV), while promoting gender equality.

The overall goal of this project is to enhance the protection and promotion of women's rights in Armenia, with a specific focus on preventing and combating VAW and DV, including its digital dimension, and promoting gender equality.      

• Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
• Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
• Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia 
• Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia/RA Police
• Investigation Committee of the Republic of Armenia 
• The Human Rights Defender's Office the Republic of Armenia
• General public

The project is implemented across two key complementary areas:
Preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: with a focus on the Istanbul Convention and on the GREVIO General Recommendation No.1 on the digital dimension of violence against women.
Promoting gender equality and women's empowerment: This area supports the integration of gender equality into educational curricula, enhance gender-responsive practices, and empower women, particularly refugee women and girls, to facilitate their active participation in political, public, and social life.

• Strengthening policy and institutional frameworks:  to align Armenian legislation/ regulations with Council of Europe standards on gender equality and VAW/DV, including the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence known as the Istanbul Convention.
• Improving practices, capacities, and awareness: to enhance the knowledge and skills of authorities, legal professionals, public officials, educators, media, and civil society to effectively address VAW/DV, promote gender equality, and combat stereotypes.
• Supporting women's empowerment particularly refugee women and girls: to facilitate their active participation in political, public, and social life and to ensure their protection from violence.

By combining legislative support, capacity building, and awareness-raising efforts, the project aims to create sustainable and impactful change, ensuring alignment with international standards and local ownership.

The project will be implemented in close co-operation with Armenian national authorities, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders, with the Council of Europe’s local office to ensure that activities are tailored to the Armenian context.

 Istanbul Convention Action against violence against women and domestic violence

 Watch the film about the achievements of of phase I of the project